Building Network for Thai Education
“I believe, as a younger generation, we can both contribute to non-formal education and to Thai education.”
Sorawit Paiboonrattanakorn (Giraffe) joined the first cohort of Teach For Thailand (TFT) with the goal of establishing an organization that solves social issues, particularly education. Today, Giraffe is the CEO of Saturday School Foundation, the place where volunteers join forces to improve education.
“I think education is the root of social development,” he shared. “I wanted to create a social enterprise, get to know the problem, and look for opportunities to maximize development for the children. This was a little before I joined TFT.”
“At TFT, I get to meet the students and change my perspective; now I want to help make their lives better. I’ve also acquired new skills in the process, like communication, management, and leadership.”
Saturday School Foundation started as a Saturday Class project, which Giraffe started during his second semester at school, and continued even after he finished TFT’s two-year program.
“The kids have potential that aren’t being developed in formal education,” told Giraffe. “I started thinking, ‘What if they can reach their full potential, at something they truly enjoy doing?’”
“Saturday School also gathers those who want to improve education. Many children still lack access to quality education, so we need more people to join this movement.”
The foundation has now expanded.
“We’ve engaged with 60 schools in Bangkok, reached 6 other provinces, more than 4,000 volunteers and nearly 10,000 children,” Giraffe shared with us.
“We can contribute to improving the education. As a younger generation, we can gather people to support non-formal education, even those who did not study pedagogy, and inspire educational organizations.”
“We are building a network of the new generation, for education, to change it for the better.”
We asked Giraffe if he could change one thing about Thai education, what would it be?
“I’d say, the system that educates educators. Teachers, school directors, and even public officers working on education. They need to stay updated on knowledge and be ahead of the trend if they were to develop the children to their full potential.”
“This change can be done since the recruitment process, such as in the Faculty of Education.”
“I might not be able to do it now, but I’m heading towards it,” said Giraffe.
For Teach For Thailand’s 10th anniversary, Giraffe gave a short wish to conclude our interview.
“For its 10th birthday, I wish TFT to grow from the inside out, and create more changemakers.”
“And for those who’ve applied for the Fellowship Program, dare to be out of your comfort zones and use this opportunity the best you can.”
